I want to construct my own recessed fixtures..safety is my number one concern...how do i go about getting them tested? should i just send some samples to UL?

Well, you can do that, but don't forget the $2K check (per item) and two samples of each item. That's what UL wanted from us to test a few distribution panels we built. (This was back in 1995)
If you go to the UL web site they have info on submission of things for testing.
Good Luck

thanks...i will check there..

Might be cheaper up north.... Check out this article.
http://www.csa-international.org/news/articles/default.asp?articleID=8120&language=english

And don't forget to have all the specs with the fixtures, and put some money on the side for someone from your company to travel to the test site, to witness the testing.
It can be a real education get involved in the process, and check, on how much your manufacturing liabilty insurance costs will be, before going to far with UL

Good Luck,
LK
Been there, done that